SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA -- This particular SAFEWAY is located in San Francisco’s Financial District (145 Jackson Street San Francisco, CA 94111) and is the closest supermarket for many of the local residents, including one apartment complex consisting of around 1500 homes.

Their customer service is shabby to say the least, with employees mostly having no clue where products are located. I asked one such individual where I might find the pretzels and he offered to go check. Ten minutes later, when he hadn’t returned, I found him serving customers at the checkout. I said, “what about my pretzels?” to which he dozily replied, “oh yeah, dunno.”

Street bums are regularly seen in the aisles, stinking up the place, fingering the food, and sometimes even eating items on the spot before fleeing the scene, leaving a stench of decomposing human flesh in their wake.

But stinky bums are probably the least of our hygiene worries, when we consider the condition of the ‘fresh’ produce. It is on a daily basis that we encounter moldy tomatoes, moldy figs, and many other moldy fruits on the shelves at Safeway (see photos). It is particularly surprising, as much of Safeway’s produce is not organic, which begs the question, how long has this produce been sitting on the shelves in order to reach the moldy stage…? Fed up with this appalling situation, I asked, on two occasions, to speak to the store manager and was told both times that he was on a ‘late lunch.’ The first time was at 5pm and the second time at 7pm!

I think the final straw came when I asked where I might find the tikka masala sauce. The employee looked at me, as if I’d just inquired as to where they keep their bottled water from Mars, before telling me that I could perhaps find this in a really large Safeway, but definitely not here. Perhaps, having lived in the UK and East Coast USA, I expect to see basic Indian sauces in mainstream supermarkets. Or perhaps they were fermenting a batch out back so it would match the fruit. Either way, I could not help losing the will to live when, in all his wide-eyed ugliness, the employee frowned his deformed brow and said, “I’ve never eaten that before, is it good?”

What would you do if this was your local supermarket ??

Maxine Ryder

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Safeway ruined my Christmas

Posted by cwda on 12/26/2009

DENVER, CO, COLORADO -- I wanted to tell you about my last experience at Safeway. It was Christmas day 2009 and my niece was baking the pies for the first time by herself and she burned themâ¦ so my husband and I ran to the local Safeway at 757 E. 20th Ave. (Denver, CO 80205) to grab a couple of desserts, because we knew you were closing at 3pm that day. I arrived at 2:43pm (I used my cell phone to get the exact time), my husband dropped me off so I could run in real quick. When I got to the door it was locked and noticed the security guard was locking the exit doors so I was going to jump in there, when he yelled at me, âWEâRE CLOSED!!â. I being in shock and not really understanding (I was in an upbeat mood) said, âI thought you closed at 3pm?â. Again he rudely said again, âWEâRE CLOSED!!â I said, looking at my clock, âbut itâs 17 minutes until 3, I just need one thing.â âThatâs what they all say. You should have thought about that earlier. WEâRE CLOSED!!â. I said, âitâs Christmas day, I just need a replacement dessert.â When he said something under his breath and him and another employee that was leaving out the door started laughing hysterically at me. Until that point, I was not rude or shouting or anythingâ¦. I was just in shock. When my husband drove up to pick me up, he said where are the piesâ¦ and I told him what happened. During the time I waited for him this security guard let 2 other people sneak into the store. Again, I was not rude or loud or anything to this man, I came in with a smile and was confused when he was telling me the store was already closed, when I questioned the time. I even got back to my house (without anything for dessert) right at 3pm and my family even said, â what, it is just 3:01pm now??â.

I could not believe how rude and disrespectful he was. I shop at this Safeway all the time, even when it has got a bad rap and called it the Crackway and there have been numerous other problems with this store. I am a local neighbor to this store and I could easily shop at Kings Soopers, but I continue to go to Safeway to do my shopping. I was not trying to get one over or do anything wrong. I was not trying to do a shopping spree before closing. It was Christmas and I needed one thing, I would have been out of the store in minutes, I know where everything is and had my money ready. I did not try to come into the store in the last minutes and make people wait for me or do anything out of the ordinary for me. I came within reasonable time to get in and out before closing. I know how it is to work on Christmas and you wanting to go home, but my employers would never close the doors early, especially when we had customers and allow us to be so rude and to laugh and mock a customer like that. I was not rude or disrespectful when asking questions, I am a pretty quite refined person, that usually looks down on behavior that rude customers give to employees. Although, by the time I left I did tell him, âhappy holidaysâ¦â and called him a not so nice name â but only at the very end of leaving and asking him if he was joking with me and he rudely told me to go home.

This Christmas was not easy to do this year, we just lost my mother and my sister this year and it was hard enough as it was to get together to try to celebrate. We were trying to make the best of it and this totally ruined my and several of my families Christmas! It put such a bad taste in my mouth for Safeway. If the security guard was nice and explained, I am sorry but we have to get the store ready for closing so our people can go have their Christmas at home or just give a kind or nice response, but he was so over the top rude, angry and aggressive toward me, I was so shocked and did not know what to do.

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Rude Check Out and Very Bad Bagging Ruin Some Product

Posted by Robert on 01/04/2013

Rating: 4/51

MILWAUKEE, OREGON -- I went to the Oregon store #2696 at about noon on 1/03/13 check out was 1302. I was waiting in one all check out line 3 people with full carts. I heard them call for cashier. I'm now next in line, as the cashier finally showed up and look down the line of checkout lanes (nobody there) then beckoned me over. Since I was the only customer there she (Rachel) was able to clear product fast as I could put on belt and that was OK. I attempted to put things in order such as meat/bread etc to make it easy for bagging. Pleasantries were right out of the book(have a nice day). When unloading into my vehicle, I notice the raspberries I purchased were open and all over the bag, because they were put in on end and NO Rubber band around them to keep them closed. (this is a good idea for store policy---rubber band item that might pop up).

I returned to find a different checker, but young lady walking around ask if she could help. I identified the problem showing her the mess in my bag. The cashier now was somebody new and quite pleasant. They called Rachel (who was behind the service desk (that's a joke). I showed her the error and they were going to get a replacement when I ask for just a refund---for all of this! No just the berries. (she still gave the attitude I was the problem), but gave me the cash and then said have a nice day like I again was the problem. I replied how your day improves. I spent 41 year in customer service (not everyday is a wonderful day, but your words to customers can change a not so good day into something better. I remember being reamed out by a customer and set the stage for the next customer---I was ready for and not planning on taking another reaming---- when the next customer ( whom observed what just happened) walk up and said I hope to make your day better than the last person---and that changed my attitude--- treat every customer as an individual.. I thought you might like the rubber band suggestion (saw it at another store not my big idea) and give Rachel a Starbucks card for morning coffee. My card number [snip] I'm not just a casual shopper with Safeway.

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Letter written to Safeway Inc.

Posted by HDL on 09/02/2010

ARIZONA -- Safeway, Inc.

To Whom It May Concern (This Concerns Us All):

I am writing this letter in hopes of reaching someone who cares, although I question if the timing of this letter is several years too late. The reason for starting this letter with such strong words is simple; your company is making a mockery out of what American business should be.

I have had the good fortune in recent years to befriend several Safeway employees. It was through these friendships that I noticed a common theme – they are all good people, they all worked for your company for five plus years, and they all feared how long their employment with you would last. “Why such fear?” I wondered. But then as time moved forward, my understanding of their fear became clear.

My first realization of your company’s lack of care came about during your most recent contract negotiations. I understand that the relationship between the union and a company is a vital one and I am not writing this letter to get into those political debates, but I do question WHY an established company such as yours would hold out on negotiations when all the people want are guaranteed forty-hour work weeks and the health insurance that was promised to them upon first being hired.

My friend who just celebrated twenty years with your company started out with a great pension, the ability to move to different Safeways and be guaranteed pay and position, he had flexibility in hours, decent pay, and great benefits. To date, everything that was promised to him upon hiring has dissolved away. His pension is almost non-existent; he is only guaranteed pay and position if he stays within a certain parameter of stores, and lately, it appears that because he gets paid more dollars per hour than the new-hires, he is being forced out. His hours have been cut, his department changes daily, his scheduled hours are random and in his opinion, his manager is attempting to do everything right by him. Wow, if that is doing “right” by an employee, I would hate to see what doing something “wrong” would be. Being a corporate person myself, I know what you are thinking. He must be a problem employee, he must lack motivation, maybe his time is just up, but I assure you, his character is steadfast and true, it is the business practices that are being imposed by you that are wrong, not the employees that you are pegging as the problem.

So now your stores will be left with “newbies” – no one who knows the customers, no one who knows the business, and no one who is making any kind of sustainable living who will even care to go the extra mile. And it is because of this, that I am writing this letter. I want you to know, in print, that I will not be purchasing another item from your store. I will be very vocal about my opinions regarding your company and as they teach you in marketing 101, word of mouth is everything, and I most certainly have the gift of gab.

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Bad Customer Service On Me And Other People

Posted on 07/20/2013

Rating: 1/51

PORTLAND, OREGON -- I live one block from Safeway. I really like the products and the prices I shop in there store every day, however the employees from the manager down seem to not have any skills in the way of treating anyone with respect whenever a problem arises.

I have had problems with every department where there wasn't really a problem and could have been resolved very easy but they made the problem when they did not have to. I teach anger management in a drug rehab and I know how to control my anger, however they made me angry every time just by their way of dealing with me. I HAVE ALSO SEEN IT HAPPENING WITH OTHER PEOPLE ON A REGULAR BASIS. I think someone from your company should think about checking into this joke of a operation for your own good. I don't plan on stopping my shopping at Safeway I will just change stores where I have had no problem. The store is located on SE 39th and Powell in Portland Oregon.

THANK YOU

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Bad Handling of a Simple Situation

Posted by Joe on 09/01/2012

Rating: 2/51

In 2008 I was trying to avoid conflict by calling ahead of time to set up a date of cancellation of services because that I was moving. I was out of my contract at the time.

The representative informed me that I would be receiving boxes to send back the equipment. The cancellation came the boxes didn't. I had to keep bothering the new tenants to see if the boxes had arrived. The day the boxes arrived my bank account got charged by Dish Network for $500. I sent the equipment in got my money back no only a slight problem at the time.

Now it's 2012 and I call looking to get new service, willing to enter into a 2 year contact mind you with a company that mishandled my account before just to find out that I have past due charges on an account that was paid in full and closed. Now I'm being told I need to pay this charge before I can get into a new contract.

Now the customer service people were very nice, even offered to meet me halfway on the balance which was only a little over $100 bringing what I owe to like $50 something. Now I ask you, if I had owed that money before don't you think they would have taken it out of the $500 they returned to me for the equipment? It's all fairly simple to explain someone

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Detaining my daughter

Posted by Shalonda on 04/21/2012

Rating: 2/51

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA -- Hi my name is Shalonda. I have a 15 year old daughter that I drop off every day to Safeway to buy her 2 for 1 dollar donuts. My daughter had just started high school so she was so afraid every morning to go to school. I had just dropped her off to Safeway when 5 minutes later I get a call from her stating she is being detained for stealing a 50 cent donut. She had explained to me a lady had detained her and was going through her bags. My daughter said they told her that they were calling the police.

My daughter left the store and ran to school. The next morning I went to the store and asked the lady to tell me why she detained my daughter. The lady told me she thought my daughter was someone else. I had explained to her she had no right to put her hands on my daughter or detain a minor without calling her parents. She was not the security she does the carts.

I was really upset about this whole situation. We shop at Safeway on a regular basis. My daughter has never been through anything like this.

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Water and sludge in fuel underground storage tanks

Posted by sparky091854 on 01/01/2012

MOSES LAKE, WASHINGTON -- In the last 3 plus months the local Safeway fuel station has NOT been FILLING up their storage tanks and therefore they are allowing large buildups of condensation and sludge that is being pumped into customers vechicles this is causing very poor operation of the fuel system and necessary maintenance to customers equipment that shouldn't have happened!! In asking attendants they say they don't understand why the tanks are so low I think Safeway is trying to clean out the sludge in their tanks the easy way!! They are always so quick to change the price of fuel even when the fuel in the storage tanks COST was consierably less in price we are dealing with about 70000 gals of fuel storage and more it takes a few weeks to draw that amount down!! Ask your attendants what the level of the tank you are pumping fromis at and what the capacity is that will PROVE why they are full of water and they aren't doing anything about it!! Iam contacting corporate to let them know and will give them a week to respond then letters to the editor etc will start appearing in the newspaper!!

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Cashiers Usually give you the worst customer services

Posted by Heidy on 11/02/2010

SILVER SPRING, MARYLAND -- Safeway Store #1565
15411 New Hampshire Ave.
I shopped there for the last seven years and most of the cashier are very nice. To day I have both of my kids with me, I bout $300 of groceries and the cashier Susan was very nasty. I was asking her to check if the cookies were on sale she didn't even give me eye contact and I reaped ted to her I'm not taking that if you don't check the price!!! she refused to check and I asked her what was her problem, she said you're holding up the line. I decided to talk to the manager and supervisor just said she's probably having a bad day. I just left upset obviously no one really follows the good customer service rules. I will not go to Safeway anymore, I have giving them enough of my money, to get treated like I'm some low class human being or an ignorant full. She needs to find another job or get some customer service classes.

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Unsafe and lacks any customer service

Posted by Annoyed in Sunnyvale on 07/09/2009

SAN JOSE, CALIFORNIA -- I am 8 mos pregnant & was shopping at this location when I slipped & fell right in front of the check out lines. When I was on the floor I felt water dripping on my head, I looked up to find an HVAC vent dripping water onto the floor. The store had several yellow cones off to the side (pushed up to the end cap). Obviously those weren't properly placed nor did they have a bucket to capture the water that was landing and splattering across the floor (then dragged by carts).

Needless to say, not a soul bothered to help me get up nor attended to the situation. Absolutely, no satisfaction from the employees on shift (6PM on a Thurs). I made several attempted to reach the Store Manager, to make him aware of what happened. When calling the store, several times the phone was never answered or I was hung up on or provided misinformation etc... Finally I spoke to a very nice Asst Manager & she assured me that her manager was on vacation (something that everyone previously neglected to tell me). She took down all my information and assured me he would call me upon his return (dates provided).

Of course, I never heard from the manager until I sent an unfavorable review to Safeway's customer service. I asked that no one from the actual location contact me and they disregarded that request & made the store manager contact me.(The store manager lacked comprehension skills and is certainly a liability to the company. I can see why this location has unfavorable reviews on many opinion websites.)

He initiated the call by addressing me by the wrong first name. He was unable to identify if the HVAC unit had been repaired, he "imagines it's been fixed but, not sure". I just wanted assurance that this won't happen to anyone else and he was unable to confirm that. He went on to tell me that not all his employees are trained on the "new" phone system hence my difficulty reaching him. His mono toned "uh yeah" leads me to believe he has no comprehension of what potentially could have happened to myself (& unborn child). I wasn't looking to sue or make anyone's life difficult...I just wanted to make sure this wasn't blatant negligence, rather just a mistake that won't happen again. If this guy is running the show, I can guarantee this will happen again & Safeway will be paying a lot to someone legitimate or an opportunist. Either way, maybe Safeway will get the point and provide safer conditions and certainly have better individuals communicating with their customers.